The University of Iowa uses Duo Security tools—including the Duo Mobile app—to manage the second step of the Two-Step Login process. We recommend using push notifications sent to the Duo Mobile app to complete your logins with just one tap to your phone or tablet screen. (See below for additional login methods.)

If setting up your profile for the first time, you’ll see a green “Setup Two-Step Authentication” button. Click it.

If you’ve already set up your profile and are adding a new device, click “+ Add Additional Device.”

Complete the “Default Phone Number” or “Add Device” form. (Which form you see will depend on whether you’re setting up your profile for the first time or adding a new device.)

Enter a phone number if you choose. You don’t need a phone number if plan to use push notifications to the Duo Mobile app to complete your logins (the preferred method) or if your device does not have phone service.

Click the radio button labeled “Via the Duo Push application on available smart phones and tablets.”

Select the appropriate device platform from the drop-down list.

Assign a label or name for this device.

If setting up a new profile, click the green “Send a test code and enable two-step authentication button. If adding a new device, click “Add Device.”

A barcode and instructions will appear on your computer screen.

Part 3: Complete the process.

Open the Duo Mobile app on your phone or tablet.

On your device, tap the “+” symbol or “add account.”

Tap “Scan Barcode” and use your device’s camera to scan the barcode on your computer screen.

On your computer, click the “Verify Duo Push Activation” button.

Look for a “Request waiting. Tap to respond.” prompt In the Duo Mobile app on your device.

Tap the prompt, then tap the “Approve” button.

Your device is enrolled. Adjust any other profile settings (e.g., enable any opt-in applications) then log out of the Two-Step Login profile management site on your computer.

Note: If during the process you get the following error message, enter any possible 10-digit U.S. phone number in the enrollment form’s “Phone number box”:

Entering a 10-digit number will let you bypass the error. The phone number will never be used so long as you click the form’s “Duo Push” radio button.

Tap “Scan Barcode” and use your device’s camera to scan the barcode on your computer screen.

On your computer, click the “Verify Duo Push Activation” button.

Look for a “Request waiting. Tap to respond.” prompt In the Duo Mobile app on your device.

Tap the prompt, then tap the “Approve” button.

Your device now is set up for Duo Mobile push notifications. Adjust any other profile settings (e.g., enable any opt-in applications) then log out of the Two-Step Login profile management site on your computer.

For this process, you’ll need to be near the phone you want to enroll. You’ll also need a computer with internet access.

Note that you can only enroll a phone number that’s unique to you. If someone else has already enrolled the number, you won’t be able to add it.

Completing a login with a phone call results in charges to the university. We recommend using push notifications to the Duo Mobile app as your primary login method. Whenever possible, use phone calls only as backup methods.

An “Add Device” window will open. Enter the phone number where you want to receive text messages, click the “Text message SMS” radio button, choose your device’s platform, and enter a label or name for the device.

Click the blue “Add Device” button. A verification window will open.

Part 2: Complete the process

Your device will receive a text message with a one-time security code. Keep this message until you’ve completed verification.

On your computer, type the code in the verification window and click “Activate Two-Step Enrollment.”

Your phone number is set up to receive text messages. Adjust any other profile settings (e.g., enable any opt-in applications) then log out of the Two-Step Login profile management site on your computer.